CPM fires warning shots at Congress-led Govt

Firing warning shots even before the swearing-in of the Congress-led coalition, the CPM on Saturday said its support to the Manmohan Singh Government would be unflinching as long as it worked in consonance with the Common Minimum Programme (CMP).

"People ask us you are supporting the Government from outside, when will you withdraw support? Our clear answer to this is if this Government runs according to the CMP we will withdraw support only during the next General elections which is after five years," Party leader Sitaram Yechury told reporters.

Asked about its expectations from the Government, he said the Left parties hoped that a stable Government will be formed which would run its entire term.

The CPM, especially its leader Harkishan Singh Surjeet, had played a significant role in the drafting of the CMP though the party itself had decided to stay out of the Government while extending support to it.